MTOW and aircraft age limits
MTOW and aircraft age limits across every register we track for aircraft.
What is meant by MTOW and aircraft age limits?
Any limit the register places on maximum take-off weight or on the age of the aircraft it will accept.
Why does MTOW and aircraft age limits matter when choosing a register?
A limit here can exclude an aircraft, so it is the first check to make before any other comparison.
Every register for aircraft, side by side
Where a register has not published an answer, none is shown, and where the only figure available is an estimate, it is labeled as one.
| Register | Answer |
|---|---|
| ArubaThe Registry of Aruba | Aruba takes aircraft from 5,700 kg and helicopters from 1,000 kg, and in practice will not register an airframe built before 1 January 1980.The Registry of Aruba, 'Registration of Aircraft' (Documents / Registration / Registration of Aircraft) for the weight thresholds, read together with AIC JETS Corp., 'P4 Aruba Aircraft Registration' (https://www.aicjetscorp.com/offshore/aruba-aircraft-registration), which reproduces the Department of Civil Aviation's aircraft acceptance policy for the build date and the exclusionstheregistryofaruba.comRetrieved 2026-09-01Corroborating source, not the register's own publicationOpen sourceInformational only, not legal, tax or financial advice. Contact a qualified professional for current information. |
| BermudaBermuda Aircraft Registry | Bermuda publishes no weight limit and no age limit; eligibility turns on who owns the aircraft and on the aircraft type being accepted.Bermuda Civil Aviation Authority, Eligibility (Bermuda Aircraft Registry)www.bcaa.bmRetrieved 2026-08-27Open sourceInformational only, not legal, tax or financial advice. Contact a qualified professional for current information. |
| Cayman IslandsCayman Islands Aircraft Registry | No fixed age limit, but the aircraft normally has to weigh more than 5,700 kg (12,500 lb), and 1990-or-earlier aircraft need a prior inquiry.Civil Aviation Authority of the Cayman Islands, Aircraft Registration Process (page last modified 2025-06-06)www.caacayman.comRetrieved 2026-08-29Open sourceInformational only, not legal, tax or financial advice. Contact a qualified professional for current information. |
| GuernseyGuernsey Aircraft Registry | Aircraft must be type certificated and 5,700 kg maximum take-off mass or above; Channel Islands residents may register any type-certificated aircraft, non-residents a lighter turbine aircraft only on conditions, and amateur-built and vintage aircraft are refused.Office of the Aircraft Registrar, Bailiwick of Guernsey, Guernsey Advisory Circular GAC REG-1, 'Aircraft Registration: Eligibility and Admission Criteria', Fourth Issue, April 2026cidca.aero · GAC REG-1, para 6.2Retrieved 2026-08-12Open sourceInformational only, not legal, tax or financial advice. Contact a qualified professional for current information. |
| Isle of ManIsle of Man Aircraft Registry | Airplanes above 2,730 kg maximum take-off mass (MTOM) and turbine-engine helicopters qualify outright; lighter airplanes and piston helicopters need aerial-work use or an Isle of Man resident owner, and the registry publishes no aircraft age limit.Isle of Man Aircraft Registry (Civil Aviation Administration, Isle of Man Government), 'Register an Aircraft', Ground Ruleswww.iomaircraftregistry.com · Ground RulesRetrieved 2026-09-07Open sourceInformational only, not legal, tax or financial advice. Contact a qualified professional for current information. |
| MaltaMalta Aircraft Register | Malta publishes no take-off mass threshold and no age limit; eligibility turns entirely on who the registrant is.Transport Malta, Civil Aviation Directorate, Information and Advisory Notice No. 17, 'Registration of Aircraft', Issue No. 8, dated 7th January 2019www.transport.gov.mt · §1Retrieved 2026-08-29Open sourceInformational only, not legal, tax or financial advice. Contact a qualified professional for current information. |
| San MarinoSan Marino Aircraft Registry | No weight limit and no set age limit apply, though applicants with aircraft over thirty years old are asked to inquire first with the Director General.Civil Aviation Authority of the Republic of San Marino, CAP 01 | Registration of Aircraft (body pages Revision 25, 01 May 2026; Appendix 1 Revision 26, 01 August 2026)www.smar.aero · §1.2Retrieved 2026-08-29Effective 2026-05-01Open sourceInformational only, not legal, tax or financial advice. Contact a qualified professional for current information. |
Where to go next
This item is one of many that bear on the choice. Set it beside the rest before you choose a register, and tell us if a register you need is not covered yet.